Raimondo wants vote on budget this week

Gov. Gina Raimondo is pushing for a vote this week to end a lengthy impasse between the House and Senate over Rhode Island's $9.2 billion budget.

Raimondo told reporters on Tuesday that her top priority is to pass a budget this week. She says Aug. 1 is the day the state is supposed to send increased aid for schools and local communities, and passing a budget will make that possible.

Rhode Island has been operating without a new budget since the fiscal year began July 1 because of a disagreement between the House and the Senate over the details of a car tax cut that was House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello's top priority.

The 25-day stalemate is causing uncertainty in local governments and school districts as state government operates at last year's spending levels.